Alarm system and method of incorporating magnetic switch means magnetically controlled electrical switches

ABSTRACT

A magnetically controlled switch-actuating member projects upwardly from the supporting surface of a shelf, rack or the like positioned for downward depression by a merchandise article supported on the shelf. The switch-actuating member extends downwardly through a permanent magnet block at the shelf underside, the actuating member always being urged magnetically upwardly to projecting position when depressed by the article on the shelf. Electrical contact strips extend over the magnet block and are free of contact by the actuating member when in its article-depressed position, but contacted by the actuating member when in its projecting position completing an electrical circuit therethrough to any form of electrically actuated device, such as an alarm. Thus, any given series of switches may be provided and will sound the alarm when any one of a series of articles is removed from the shelf.

O United States Patent [151 3,636,547 Brace et al. 51 Jan. 18, 1972 [54]ALARM SYSTEM AND METHOD OF 3,443,043 5/1969 Schmid-Zeller et al...200/67 F INCORPORATING MAGNETIC SWITCH 3,440,374 4/1969 Wintriss...200/83 L MEANS 3,486,144 12/1969 Paige ..200/l59 CONTROLLEDELECTRICAL Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell SWITCHES AssistantExaminer-William M. Wannisky [72] Inventors: Robert J. Brace, 21721Roscoe Blvd., Attorney-Malone)" Hombaker & Schlck Canoga Park, Calif.91304; Meyer Fienberg, 7259 Hillside Ave, Los Angeles, [57] ABSTRACTCalif- 90046 A magnetically controlled switch-actuating member projectsupwardly from the supporting surface of a shelf, rack or the [22] led.June 1969 like positioned for downward depression by a merchandise ar-[21] App]. No.: 831,613 ticle supported on the shelf. Theswitch-actuating member extends downwardly through a permanent magnetblock at the [52] U S Cl 340/280 340/272 200/85 shelf underside, theactuating member always being urged [51] G08b 21/00 magneticallyupwardly to projecting position when depressed 5 8] Fieid 33 5/205 bythe article on the shelf. Electrical contact strips extend over 200/11 K57 R 61 the magnet block and are free of contact by the actuating memberwhen in its article-depressed position, but contacted by the actuatingmember when in its projecting position [56] References Cited completingan electrical circuit therethrough to any form of electrically actuateddevice, such as an alarm. Thus, any given UNITED STATES PATENTS seriesof switches may be provided and will sound the alarm 2 47 157 6/1949 c"340/280 X when any one of a series of articles is removed from theshelf.

4, Nee man 3,361,999 1/1968 Leinauer ..335/205 X 7 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures PATENTEUJANI amz 31636547 mum Elm 11m (55 INVENTORS 55 MEYERHEA/BEAG MAHaA/ HORNE/4K5}? ALARM SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INCORPORATINGMAGNETIC SWITCH MEANS MAGNETllCAlLlLY CONTROLLED ELECTRICAL SWlTCHlESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an alarm systemincorporating magnetic switch means which may be installed forinexpensively guarding objects or articles of merchandise positioned onexposed shelves or counters of stores, supermarkets and the like.Furthermore, the alarm system of this invention may be installed fordetecting the removal of one or each of a great number of merchandisearticles form virtually any type of shelf, counter, rack or display andat virtually any location within the merchandising establishment. Theswitch incorporated in the alarm system of the present invention servingthe article detecting function at each of the merchandise articles beingguarded is of a positive magnetic action, inexpensive to provide andinstall, and may be formed with self-contained, antitampering featurespreventing unauthorized persons from surreptitiously frustrating thearticle removal detecting function thereof.

The steadily increasing problem of merchandise theft looses particularlyin the more modern supermarkets, department stores, discount stores andthe like is well known, and the same problems arise to a limited extenteven in the smaller, older style establishments. Due to the highcompetition, the steadily increasing material and labor costs coupledwith the ever-present customer demand for price reductions, the tendencyis toward less and less hired clerk service to a customer and more andmore customer self-service, so that clerks are only provided to assistin troubled situations and for merchandise shelf stocking, with thecustomers being permitted to gather a group of merchandise articleswithout attention and until paying for the same at central outletlocations. Even where the establishment is not of the normal selfservice type, modern merchandising requires that a liberal number ofmerchandise articles be on display in positions readily accessible tothe customers, increasing the opportunities for dishonest personsattempting thefts.

In the case of merchandise articles of small individual value, althoughof course not desirable, a certain amount of theft loss can be toleratedand furthermore, the incidence of theft thereof is diminished directlydue to the small individual value. Where the real problems arise, iswith articles of merchandise which are of relatively high-individualvalue, particular those of relatively compact form and easilyconcealable such as bottles of liquor, jewelry and certain sportinggoods items. Despite the fact that these relatively expensive individualarticles may be quickly removed form a shelf, counter or display andeasily concealed, it is still necessary that a liberal number of sucharticles be exposed in accessible positions in order that the largemajority of honest customers may examine the same and obtain the sameunder self-service conditions in order to complete the usual purchasingprocedures.

One of the more obvious methods of combatting theft losses inmerchandising establishments is to provide a reasonable number ofemployed clerks for the sole purpose of customer surveillance, suchclerks visually observing customer actions. The employed personscarrying out this direct human customer surveillance must be reasonablytrained and experienced so that the more likely of those persons bent oftheft will be detected primarily through inordinate action thereof andeither frustrated in their theft attempt or detained at the legallyproper amount for prosecution, all of this being required while notdisturbing the normal honest customers in their usual purchasingprocedures. Thus, the use of employed clerks of human direct customersurveillance with the necessary skills and experience must be reasonablywell compensated as well as reasonable in numbers in a givenmerchandising establishment so as to tend to counteract the overallefforts to reduce merchandising costs and supply the merchandise to thecustomers at a minumum of expense.

A. relatively common, more sophisticated method of theft detection isquite frequently employed in relatively large. selfservice merchandisingestablishments and that is one of closed circuit television customersurveillance. In the use of closed circuit television, televisioncameras are positioned at various locations about the merchandisingestablishment, in many cases fully exposed and readily observable by thecustomers. Such a surveillance system usually only requires a singlecentral monitoring station at which is a single employee observer maymaintain surveillance over a large number of divided establishmentareas. Furthermore, the customers moving about in the establishment can,at the most, detect that there are television cameras positioned forobservance and they are never able to determine whether suchsurveillance is actually taking place.

Although with closed circuit television surveillance, the expense of alarge number of trained personnel is eliminated, the expense ofinstallation and maintenance of such a system is still a prominentfactor in merchandising expense. in addition, this installation andmaintenance expense can only be tolerated, out of direct necessity, inthe large merchandising establishments and is not feasible economicallyor otherwise for use in the smaller establishments even though thenecessity there is just a prevalent. lit is clear, therefore, that theneed for a relatively inexpensive merchandise article surveillance andremoval detection is a presently existing problem and that there is alongfelt want and need for solving the same.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION it is, therefore, an object of thisinvention to provide an alarm system and method incorporating magneticswitch means wherein the alarm system may be relatively inexpensivelyfabricated and installed using common materials and workmen withoutgreatly specialized skills, yet which maintains constant, effective,mechanical and electronic surveillance of selected merchandise articlesand readily detects the removal thereof from a shelf or displaylocation.According to the present invention, one of a series ofseparated switchs of extremely simplified form are installed on the sameor separated merchandise article supporting shelf, counter, rack ordisplay, each such switch being sensitive for movement to anonelectrically transmitting condition when a merchandise article ispositioned at that particular switch, and for movement automatically toan electrically transmitting position upon the particular merchandisearticle being removed. The switches, in turn, are electrically connectedto a common or separate electrically actuated devices, such as alarms,lights or other signal or noise producing devices, so that electricallyactuated device or devices are actuated by the merchandise articleremovals altering an authorized person to begin surveillance of thosehaving the merchandise articles then in their possession to be sure thatthe proper checkout buying procedure is followed.

Thus, only an extremely limited number of personnel is required in orderto maintain power surveillance over relatively wide areas of amerchandising establishment. Furthermore, by the proper choice of silentelectrically actuated devices connected to the detecting switches, thefact that the merchandise article removal has been detected may becompletely hidden and isolated from the person doing such articleremoval so that honest customers will be completely unaware of anysurveillance, yet persons committing theft will be readily detected andapprehended. The present alarm system thereby provides inexpensive,effective surveillance required to minimize merchandise theft withoutthe expense necessarily occasioned by the prior methods and apparatus,such as visual direct human surveillance or closed circuit television.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an alarm systemhaving the foregoing characteristics and attributes which may bearranged with a proper selection of the electrically actuated deviceinstalled therein, to deter potential merchandise article thefts withoutthe necessity of actual apprehension of the person attempting to commithe theft. For instance, by electrically connecting the detecting switchwith an audible electrically actuated device, such as a bell, buzzer orchimes, which is positioned relative to the detecting switch so as to beclearly audible by a person removing the particular merchandise articleand causing the switch to actuate the audible alarm, a person originallyintending theft and having the psychological factor of detection in mindwill either replace the merchandise article or purchase the same in theconventional manner. At the same time, however, an ordinary customerwith honest intentions will be unaffected by the audible alarm soundingbecause of the lack of guilt feelings and will proceed to purchase themerchandise article as such customer would ordinarily do.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an alarm system ashereinbefore set forth which is extremely versatile in installation anduse, and may be adapted to the surveillance of merchandise articles ofvirtually any size and weight. The preferred form of the switchincorporated in the alarm system of the present invention is one whichis positioned having an actuating member projecting upwardly through amerchandise article supporting surface when in electrically conductingconditions and depressed by the particular article through the weightthereof alone or in combination with added weight to a switchnonelectrically conducting condition. Thus, where surveillance is to bemaintained over merchandise articles of reasonable weight, such asbottles of beverages or many sporting goods items, the detectingswitches may be installed actionable merely through the inherent weightof the merchandise article and at any location in any number onvirtually any type of shelf or platform or individual and multipledisplay rack. At the same time, when the merchandise article is oflittle inherent weight, such as articles of jewelry and the like, thedetecting switch or switches may be provided with attractive individualplatforms or article holders at the switch actuating member upper ends,the switch or switches being balanced to detect upon the removal of thelight article from the individual platform or holder.

It is still an additional object of this invention to provide an alarmsystem of the foregoing type which is completely safe in operation anddoes not create a hazard to customers or employee personnel during theiruse of the shelves, racks and the like having the alarm system installedin conjunction therewith. The electrically actuated devices incorporatedin the alarm system may be of the usual low-voltage type so that thealarm system overall may likewise only require electrical power of lowvoltage. Also, the use of electrical power within the main portion ofthe alarm system only takes place during actual indication and soundingof the alarm provided by the electrically actuated device so that theuse of electrical power over a period of time is quite minor, againadding to the economy of the alarm system of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a fragmentary, top plan viewof a conventional store or supermarket metal shelf having an embodimentof the alarm system of the present invention installed thereon forproviding surveillance of a series of merchandise articles, such asbottles;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the metal shelf ofFIG. 1, specifically showing two alarm system switches retained indepressed position by bottles thereon free of electrically actuating analarm of the system, and showing one of the alarm system switches inupwardly projecting position causing sounding of the system alarm as aconsequence of a merchandise article having been removed from over saidone switch;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view looking inthe direction of the arrows 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but looking in the direction of thearrows 44l in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view looking in thedirection of the arrows 5-5 in FIG. 3 including a somewhat diagrammaticshowing of the electrical circuit of the alarm system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an example of platformmounted on a switch-actuating member removed from one of the alarmsystem switches of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a fragmentary,vertical sectional view of a gun rack illustrating the alarm system ofthe present invention installed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED An embodiment ofthe alarm system and method of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1through 5 wherein the alarm system is shown installed in multiple switchform on a conventional metal, merchandise article supporting shelfgenerally indicated at 10 of the type frequently found in supermarkets,discount stores and the like. The shelf 10 serves as the articlesupporting member and has spaced upper and lower sides 12 and 14 with aseries of spaced openings 16 formed between said upper and lower sidesslightly rearwardly of a front, downwardly extending flange 18, saidflange conventionally being covered by a decorative strip 20. With thepreformed series of openings 16, the shelf 10 is perfectly adaptable forconvenient mounting of a series of spaced, article surveillance switchesgenerally indicated at 22 positioned spaced apart sufficient distancesfor individually supporting merchandise articles thereover, such asbottles 24 and 26 as shown.

Each of the switches 22 includes an actuating member 28 formed by acylindrical center post 30 extending upwardly through one of theopenings 16 to terminate upwardly in a flanged upper end 32 andterminate downwardly in a flanged lower end 34. The actuating member 28also includes an annular washer 36 secured positioned overlying theflanged center post lower end 34 and for convenience in assembly, theactuating member 28 is preferably formed of separable, selectivelythreadably engaged halves as shown. Furthermore, and extremely importantto the principles of the present invention, at least the actuatingmember center post 30 and the flanged upper end 32 thereof are formed ofa nonmagnetically attracting material such as aluminum, or both ofnonmagnetically attracting and nonelectrically conducting material suchas one of the well-known plastics, but the washer 36 must be formed ofboth a magnetically attracting and electrically conducting material suchas steel. In the alternative, and now shown, the actuating member centerpost 30 has its flanged upper end 32 could be formed of plastic so as tobe nonmagnetically attracting and nonelectrically conducting, with theflanged lower end 34 with its threaded engagement into the center postformed of steel so as to be both magnetically attracting andelectrically conducting, thereby eliminating the necessity of the washer36 completely, all common expedients well known in the art.

Each switch 22 further includes a preferably permanent magnet block 33secured to the shelf lower side 14 and having a vertical opening 40formed therethrough slightly larger than the outer diameter of theactuating member centerpost 30 and aligned with the particular of theshelf openings 16. The magnet block 38 is preferably formed of anonelectrically conducting or electrically insulating plasticimpregnated with magnetic particles, such material being well known inthe art, and with the shelf 10 formed of steel, the securement of themagnet block to the shelf lower side 14 may be purely through magneticforce, although if this mounting surface is nonmagnetically attracting,usual well-known adhesives or other securing means would be used. Thus,in relation to the shelf 10 and the magnet block 38, the actuatingmember 28 is positioned with the center post 30 projecting verticallyrnovably through one of the shelf openings 16 and the magnet blockopening 40 with the actuating member upper end 32 overlying the shelfupper side 12 and the actuating member lower end 34 with its washer 36underlying the magnet block.

The vertical dimensioning of the actuator member 28 is proportioned suchthat with the upper surface of the magnet block 38 secured to the shelflower side 14 and the magnet block magnetically attracting the actuatingmember washer 36 upwardly against the magnet block lower surfacesimultaneously drawing the secured center post 30 and the actuatingmember lower end 34 upwardly, the actuating member upper end 32 will bepositioned spaced above the shelf upper side 12. Furthermore, when theactuating member upper end 32 is depressed downwardly against the shelfupper side 12, the actuating member center post 30 will be moveddownwardly moving the actuating member lower end 34 and the securedwasher 36 to a position spaced downwardly and clear of the lower surfaceof the magnet block 38. As will be hereinafter more apparent, thedepressed position of the actuating member 28 may be considered thelower or first position, and the free or raised position may beconsidered the upper or second position, the depressed or first positionbeing shown in FIG. 4 and the raised or second position being shown inFIG. 3.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a pair of contact strips 42 ofelectrically conducting material, preferably metal foil such asaluminum, are secured spaced apart over the lower surface of the magnetblock 38 and at opposite sides of the magnet block opening 40, suchcontact strips preferably also extending continuously along the shelflower side 14 continuously adjacent the series of shelf openings 16.Except at the extensions of the contact strips 42 over the under sidesof the magnet block 38, the contact strips are secured to the shelflower side 14 over appropriate insulating strips 44 so as to insulatethe same from the metal shelf 10, the insulating strips for convenienceextending under the magnet block 38 between the magnet block and theshelf lower side 14 merely to augment efficiency in installation. In anyevent, the spacing and positioned of the contact strips 42 over theunder side of the magnet block 38 is determined so that when theactuating member 28 is in its raised or second position as shown in FIG.3, the actuating member lower portion washer 36 underlies and up wardlycontacts both of said contact strips, the combination of the actuatingmember lower portion washer 36 and the contact strips 42 thereby formingelectrical contact means for the switch transmitting electrically energyor power therethrough when the actuating member is in its raised orsecond position and free of transmitting electrical energy or powertherethrough when the actuating member is in its lower or depressedposition as shown in FIG. 4.

With the contact strips 42 extending continuously along the shelf lowerside 14 over their insulating strips 44 from the switch magnet block 38,these contact strips form a unique bus bar and permit a series of theswitches, each having an identically arranged magnet block 38, to bepositioned spaced along the shelf 10, all using the same contact strips42 and insulating strips 44 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.Furthermore, each of the switches will be connected electrically inparallel so that each of the switches may individually complete theelectrical circuit through that particular switch actuating member 28and the contact strips 42 upon that particular actuating member movingto its upper or second position. At appropriate locations along thecontact strips 42, in this case preferably at one end of the shelf 10,the contact strips are electrically connected in circuit with a typical,low voltage, electrically actuated devices 46 and a transformer 48, bothshown diagrammatically electrically connected to the contact strips inFIG. 5.

As hereinbefore discussed, the electrically actuated device 46 may be ofany usual low-voltage type which can effectively act as an alarm tovisually or audibly signal a person charged with surveillance thereofthat a merchandise article removal has been detected, for instance,audibly signalling electrically actuated devices could include a bell,buzzer or chimes, or even a recording system playing music ortransmitting a message, and visually signalling electrically actuateddevices could include various forms of lights. The transformer 48 can beconnected to the usual electrical power lines of the merchandisingestablishment and will reduce the voltage to the lower voltage requiredfor the alarm system. In order to be certain that proper electricalpower is maintained within the alarm system during use thereof, it ispreferred to provide the positive ground connection between the contactstrips 42 and the transformer 48, although in certain instances, it ispossible to merely establish the ground directly through a separateground connection, such as through the metal shelf 10 and to the groundthrough a cement floor.

Thus, in one of the alarm system of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 1 through 5 and thus far described, the switches 22 may beinstalled at the desired locations along the shelf 10 and as long as thebottles 24 and 26 are positioned on the shelf, the actuating members 28of their associated switches will be retained din their depressed orfirst positions merely through the weights of the bottles andelectrically actuated device 46 will not be electrically actuated bythose particular switches. If, however, one of the bottles 24 or 26 isremovedfrom the shelf 10, the magnet block 38 of that par ticular switch22 will magnetically attract the particular actuating member 28 upwardlyto its raised or second position and cause electrical actuation of theelectrically actuated device 46. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 an 4, theswitches 22 beneath the bottles 24 and 26 are in their depressed orfirst positions and will not cause actuation of the electricallyactuated device 46, while the switch to the left of the bottle 26, asadditionally shown in FIG. 3, is in its raised or second position andwill cause actuation of the electrically actuated device,

As particularly shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, in order to prevent tamperingwith the switches 22 and their contact strips 42, a generallychannel-shaped cover generally indicated at 50 may be provided extendingcontinuously along the shelf 10 and where formed of metal, primarilyretained in place by the magnetic attraction of the magnet blocks 38, orwhere formed of nonmagnetically attracting materials such as plastic,retained in place by usual fasteners. As an added feature of the alarmsystem of the present invention, however, and compatible with the uniqueconstruction of the switches 22, the cover 50 may be formed with ahorizontally inwardly projecting flange or tab 52 at least at each ofthe switch magnet blocks 38 and installed underlying the magnet blocks,that is, between the magnet blocks and the shelf lower side 14 wen thecover is in place. The flanges or tabs 52 could be appropriatelyseparately installed connected to the cover 50 at the location of theswitches 22, but in any event, with the magnet blocks 38 secured to themetal shelf lower side 14 through magnetic attraction, any unauthorizedattempted removal of the cover 50 will cause a tilting of the magnetblocks 38 and their associated actuating members 28 somewhat in themanner partially shown in FIG. 4, such tiling of both the magnet blocksand their associated actuating members bringing the washers 36 againstthe contact strips 42 just as if the actuating members had normallymoved upwardly to their free upper or raised positions so as toelectrically actuate the electrically actuated device 46 detecting suchattempted tampering with the alarm system.

To further illustrated the versatility of the alarm system of thepresent invention, in FIG. 6 an. actuating members 54 is shown having atypical merchandise article retaining platform 56 secured to a flangedupper end 58 of said actuating member, the remainder of the particularswitch being the same as before and the installations being the same oras an individual switch installation. With the actuating member 54having the platform 56 permanently secured thereon, the balancingbetween the magnetic force of the magnet block (not shown) and theactuating member will be closely balanced so that only slight weight isrequired on the platform 56 to overcome the magnetic attraction of theactuating member and move the actuating member and platform downwardly,and removal of such slight force causing the actuating member to moveupwardly and complete the switch electrical circuit. Thus, an alarmsystem switch of the present invention having the actuation member 54and the platform 56 may be used to hold any lightweight article, such asarticles of jewelry and the like, the switch maintaining a surveillanceon the particular merchandise article and detecting when the same isremoved from the platform so that the person removing the same can beobserved to be sure that the proper purchasing procedure is followed.

In FIG. 7, the alarm system of the present invention is illustrated foruse with a gun rack generally indicated at 60 having a rifle 62positioned thereon with a stock of the rifle resting on and depressing aswitch 64 at a supporting platform 66 of the gun rack. While the rifle62 is positioned on the gun rack 60, the switch 64 will be retained inits depressed or first position free of actuating the alarm systemelectrical circuit (not shown) and free of actuating the electricallyactuated device (not shown) of said alarm system. When, however, therifle 62 is removed from the gun rack 60, the switch 64, as previouslydescribed, is magnetically moved to its upper or second posi tioncompleting the electrical circuit and actuating the electricallyactuated device. in this manner, the alarm system of the presentinvention provides continuous surveillance of the rifle 62 andimmediately detects the removal thereof from the gun rack 60, all in anefficient and positive manner, again illustrating the wide versatilityof such system.

According to the principles and disclosures of the present invention,therefore, an alarm system and method incorporating magnetic switchmeans is provided which efficiently carries out surveillance overvirtually any form of merchandise article in a merchandisingestablishment and detects removal of such merchandise articles formtheir normal positions of display by actuating any chosen form oflow-voltage alarm, either visible or audible. As clearly illustrated anddescribed, the unique alarm system is extremely positive in operationmaking use of a simplified form of magnet switch and may be installed insingle or multiple units, the wide versatility thereof meeting virtuallyany circumstances and conditions encountered in both large and smallmerchandising establishments. Despite the marked advantages, wideversatility and reliability, the overall alarm system of the presentinvention may be fabricated and installed at an extremely low cost andwill produce long term cost savings by greatly reducing the incidence ofmerchandise article theft.

We claim:

1. in an electrical switch of the type for installation with asupporting member having spaced upper and lower sides with an openingextending generally vertically therebetween; said electrical switchincluding an actuating member extending through said supporting memberopening movable between an upper and lower position, magnetic means inthe form of a permanent magnet positioned at said supporting memberlower side adjacent said actuating member actionable between saidactuating member and said supporting member normally urging throughmagnetic force said actuating member to said upper position andpermitting movement of said actuating member to said lower positionwhile still maintaining said magnetic upward urging upon a downwardforce thereon sufficient to counteract said magnetic force upwardurging, said actuating member being normally free of urging to saidupper position other than by said magnetic force upward urging, saidactuating member having an upper end portion at said supporting memberupper side positioned engageable by an object at said supporting memberupper side and forcing said actuating ember from said upper to saidlower position when said object is of sufficient weight to counteractsaid mag netic force upward urging of said magnet, electrical contactmeans operably connected to said actuating member normally free oftransmitting electrical energy therethrough when said actuating memberis in said lower position and transmitting electrical energytherethrough when said actuating member is in said upper position, andcover means mounted normally covering said magnet and at least a part ofsaid electrical contact means and a part of said actuating member atsaid electrical contact means, said cover means being constructed andarranged relative to said electrical contact means and said actuatingmember for causing said electrical contact means to transmit saidelectrical energy therethrough upon displacement of said cover meansduring an attempted removal of said cover means from its coveringposition.

2. An electrical switch as defined in claim 1 in which said electricalcontact means is mounted in association with said magnet subject totransmitting said electrical energy therethrough upon an attemptedmovement of said magnet downwardly away from said supporting memberlower side; and in which said cover means is normally positionedcovering said magnet and at least a part of said electrical contactmeans and a part of said actuating member at said supporting memberlower side, said cover means in said normal position having a portionthereof engaged between said magnet and said supporting member lowerside for movement by said cover means of said magnet downwardly awayfrom said supporting member lower side upon displacement of said covermeans during an attempted removal of said cover means form its coveringposition casing said electrical contact means to transmit saidelectrical energy therethrough.

3. In a magnetic switch, the combination of: an actuating member movablebetween a first and second position, magnetic means positionedactionable on said actuating member constantly urging through magneticforce said actuating member to said second position and permittingmovement of said actuating member to said first position while stillmaintaining said magnetic urging toward said second position upon aforce thereon sufficient to counteract said magnetic force urging, saidactuating member being normally free of urging to said second positionother than by said magnetic force urging; electrical contact mansoperably connected to said actuating member normally free oftransmitting electrical energy therethrough when said actuating memberis in said first position and transmitting electrical energytherethrough when said actuating member is in said second position; saidmagnetic means being a permanent magnet having an opening formedtherethrough between opposite sides thereof; and said actuating memberbeing positioned extending through and freely movable within said magnetopening and having opposite end portions projecting beyond said magnetopposite sides, said actuating member being formed of a magneticallynonattracting material except for at least a part of one of said endportions, said end portion being formed of magnetically attractingmaterial.

4. A magnetic switch as defined in claim 3 in which said actuatingmember one end portion forms a part of said electrical contact means andis capable of transmitting electrical energy therethrough; and in whichsaid electrical contact means ineludes spaced metal strips formed of anelectrically conducting material positioned simultaneously engaged bysaid actuating member one end portion upon said actuating member beingmoved to said second position and at least one of said metal stripsbeing free of engagement by said actuating member one end portion uponsaid actuating member being moved to said first position.

5. A magnetic switch as defined in claim 3 in which said actuatingmember is formed of a magnetically nonattracting material except for apart of one of said end portions, said actuating member one end portionpart being formed of magnetically attracting material, said actuatingmember one end portion part being flanged and being formed of a materialcapable of transmitting electrical energy therethrough form ing a partof said electrical contact means; and in which said electrical contactmeans includes spaced metal foil strips mounted on said side of saidmagnetic means adjacent said actuating member one end portion part, saidmetal foil strips being positioned relative to said actuating member oneend portion part simultaneously engaged by said one end portion partwhen said actuating member is moved to said second position and at leastone being free of engagement by said one end portion part upon movementof said actuating member to said first position.

6. ln an electrical switch of the type for installation with asupporting member having spaced upper and lower sides with an openingextending generally vertically therebetween; said electrical switchincluding an actuating member extending through said supporting memberopening movable between an upper and lower position, magnetic meanspositioned actionable between said actuating member and said supportingmember normally urging by magnetic force said actuating member to saidupper position and permitting movement of said actuating member to saidlower position while still maintaining said magnetic upward urging upona downward force thereon sufficient to counteract said magnetic forceupward urging, said actuating member being normally free of urging tosaid upper position other than by said magnetic force upward urging,said actuating member having an upper end portion at said supportingmember upper side positioned engageable by an object at said supportingmember upper side and forcing said actuating member from said upper tosaid lower position when said object is of sufficient weight tocounteract said magnetic force upward urging of said magnetic means,electrical contact means operably connected to said operating membernormally free of transmitting electrical energy therethrough when saidoperating member is in said lower position and transmitting electricalenergy therethrough when said actuating ember is in said upper position,said magnetic means including a permanent magnet positioned at saidsupporting member lower side, said electrical contact means includingspaced electrically conducting metal foil strips at a lower side of saidmagnet, said actuating member projecting upwardly though said magnet andsaid supporting member opening, said actuating member being formed of amagnetically nonattracting material except for a lower end portionthereof positioned beneath said magnet lower side, aid actuating memberhaving a portion thereof forming a part of said electrical contact meanspositioned engaged between said contact means spaced foil stripsestablishing electrical contact therebetween when said actuating memberis in said upper position and normally being free of contacting at leastone of said contact means spaced foil strips when said actuating memberis in said lower position.

7. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 in which said electricalswitch is one of a series of said electrical switches including at leasttwo; in which said electrical switches are mounted in association withseparate openings in said supporting member; in which each of saidelectrical switches includes a permanent magnet forming said magneticmeans positioned at said supporting member lower side adhering tomagnetically attracting metal of said supporting member lower sidesolely through magnetic attracting therebetween, an opening though saidmagnet generally aligned with said supporting member opening, saidactuating member extending through said supporting member opening andsaid magnet opening, said actuating member being of a magneticallynonattracting material except for a lower portion thereof positionedbelow said magnet, and in which said electrical contact means of saidelectrical switches includes a pair of spaced electrically conductingmetal foil strips extending along lower surfaces of said magnets atopposite sides of said actuating members and continuously between saidelectrical switches on said supporting member lower side, parts of saidactuating member lower portions projecting beneath said metal foilstrips movable into engagement between said spaced metal foil stripswhen said actuating members are moved to said upper positions, saidparts of said actuating member lower portions transmitting electricalenergy therethrough between said metal foil strips when in engagementtherewith.

1. In an electrical switch of the type for installation with asupporting member having spaced upper and lower sides with an openingextending generally vertically therebetween; said electrical switchincluding an actuating member extending through said supporting memberopening movable between an upper and lower position, magnetic means inthe form of a permanent magnet positioned at said supporting memberlower side adjacent said actuating member actionable between saidactuating member and said supporting member normally urging throughmagnetic force said actuating member to said upper position andpermitting movement of said actuating member to said lower positionwhile still maintaining said magnetic upward urging upon a downwardforce thereon sufficient to counteract said magnetic force upwardurging, said actuating member being normally free of urging to saidupper position other than by said magnetic force upward urging, saidactuating member having an upper end portion at said supporting memberupper side positioned engageable by an object at said supporting memberupper side and forcing said actuating ember from said upper to saidlower position when said object is of sufficient weight to counteractsaid magnetic force upward urging of said magnet, electrical contactmeans operably connected to said actuating member normally free oftransmitting electrical energy therethrough when said actuating memberis in said lower position and transmitting electrical energytherethrough when said actuating member is in said upper position, andcover means mounted normally covering said magnet and at least a part ofsaid electrical contact means and a part of said actuating member atsaid electrical contact means, said cover means being constructed andarranged relative to said electrical contact means and said actuatingmember for causing said electrical contact means to transmit saidelectrical energy therethrough upon displacement of said cover meansduring an attempted removal of said cover means from its coveringposition.
 2. An electrical switch as defined in claim 1 in which saidelectrical contact means is mounted in association with said magnetsubject to transmitting said electrical energy therethrough upon anattempted movement of said magnet downwardly away from said supportingmember lower side; and in which said cover means is normally positionedcovering said magnet and at least a part of said electrical contactmeans and a part of said actuating member at said supporting memberlower side, said cover means in said normal position having a portionthereof engaged between said magnet and said supporting membeR lowerside for movement by said cover means of said magnet downwardly awayfrom said supporting member lower side upon displacement of said covermeans during an attempted removal of said cover means form its coveringposition casing said electrical contact means to transmit saidelectrical energy therethrough.
 3. In a magnetic switch, the combinationof: an actuating member movable between a first and second position,magnetic means positioned actionable on said actuating member constantlyurging through magnetic force said actuating member to said secondposition and permitting movement of said actuating member to said firstposition while still maintaining said magnetic urging toward said secondposition upon a force thereon sufficient to counteract said magneticforce urging, said actuating member being normally free of urging tosaid second position other than by said magnetic force urging;electrical contact mans operably connected to said actuating membernormally free of transmitting electrical energy therethrough when saidactuating member is in said first position and transmitting electricalenergy therethrough when said actuating member is in said secondposition; said magnetic means being a permanent magnet having an openingformed therethrough between opposite sides thereof; and said actuatingmember being positioned extending through and freely movable within saidmagnet opening and having opposite end portions projecting beyond saidmagnet opposite sides, said actuating member being formed of amagnetically nonattracting material except for at least a part of one ofsaid end portions, said end portion being formed of magneticallyattracting material.
 4. A magnetic switch as defined in claim 3 in whichsaid actuating member one end portion forms a part of said electricalcontact means and is capable of transmitting electrical energytherethrough; and in which said electrical contact means includes spacedmetal strips formed of an electrically conducting material positionedsimultaneously engaged by said actuating member one end portion uponsaid actuating member being moved to said second position and at leastone of said metal strips being free of engagement by said actuatingmember one end portion upon said actuating member being moved to saidfirst position.
 5. A magnetic switch as defined in claim 3 in which saidactuating member is formed of a magnetically nonattracting materialexcept for a part of one of said end portions, said actuating member oneend portion part being formed of magnetically attracting material, saidactuating member one end portion part being flanged and being formed ofa material capable of transmitting electrical energy therethroughforming a part of said electrical contact means; and in which saidelectrical contact means includes spaced metal foil strips mounted onsaid side of said magnetic means adjacent said actuating member one endportion part, said metal foil strips being positioned relative to saidactuating member one end portion part simultaneously engaged by said oneend portion part when said actuating member is moved to said secondposition and at least one being free of engagement by said one endportion part upon movement of said actuating member to said firstposition.
 6. In an electrical switch of the type for installation with asupporting member having spaced upper and lower sides with an openingextending generally vertically therebetween; said electrical switchincluding an actuating member extending through said supporting memberopening movable between an upper and lower position, magnetic meanspositioned actionable between said actuating member and said supportingmember normally urging by magnetic force said actuating member to saidupper position and permitting movement of said actuating member to saidlower position while still maintaining said magnetic upward urging upona downward force thereon sufficient to counteract said magnetic forceupward urging, said actuating member being Normally free of urging tosaid upper position other than by said magnetic force upward urging,said actuating member having an upper end portion at said supportingmember upper side positioned engageable by an object at said supportingmember upper side and forcing said actuating member from said upper tosaid lower position when said object is of sufficient weight tocounteract said magnetic force upward urging of said magnetic means,electrical contact means operably connected to said operating membernormally free of transmitting electrical energy therethrough when saidoperating member is in said lower position and transmitting electricalenergy therethrough when said actuating ember is in said upper position,said magnetic means including a permanent magnet positioned at saidsupporting member lower side, said electrical contact means includingspaced electrically conducting metal foil strips at a lower side of saidmagnet, said actuating member projecting upwardly though said magnet andsaid supporting member opening, said actuating member being formed of amagnetically nonattracting material except for a lower end portionthereof positioned beneath said magnet lower side, aid actuating memberhaving a portion thereof forming a part of said electrical contact meanspositioned engaged between said contact means spaced foil stripsestablishing electrical contact therebetween when said actuating memberis in said upper position and normally being free of contacting at leastone of said contact means spaced foil strips when said actuating memberis in said lower position.
 7. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6in which said electrical switch is one of a series of said electricalswitches including at least two; in which said electrical switches aremounted in association with separate openings in said supporting member;in which each of said electrical switches includes a permanent magnetforming said magnetic means positioned at said supporting member lowerside adhering to magnetically attracting metal of said supporting memberlower side solely through magnetic attracting therebetween, an openingthough said magnet generally aligned with said supporting memberopening, said actuating member extending through said supporting memberopening and said magnet opening, said actuating member being of amagnetically nonattracting material except for a lower portion thereofpositioned below said magnet, and in which said electrical contact meansof said electrical switches includes a pair of spaced electricallyconducting metal foil strips extending along lower surfaces of saidmagnets at opposite sides of said actuating members and continuouslybetween said electrical switches on said supporting member lower side,parts of said actuating member lower portions projecting beneath saidmetal foil strips movable into engagement between said spaced metal foilstrips when said actuating members are moved to said upper positions,said parts of said actuating member lower portions transmittingelectrical energy therethrough between said metal foil strips when inengagement therewith.